The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading independent tax policy nonprofit. Since 1937, our principled research, insightful analysis, and engaged experts have informed smarter tax policy at the federal, state, and global levels. For over 80 years, our goal has remained the same: to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity.

Does Your State Tax Business Inventory?

May 6, 2020

Janelle Cammenga

Janelle Cammenga

As we continue to look at tax types that can harm states’ post-coronavirus recovery, it’s worth highlighting taxes on business inventory.

Inventory taxes fall under the umbrella of the property tax, which is the largest tax paid by businesses at the state and local levels. In addition to taxes on the value of buildings and land, businesses can also pay property taxes on their machinery and equipment, known as business tangible personal property (TPP) taxes. A number of states include inventory as part of their TPP tax.

As shown in the map below, nine states fully tax inventory, with five additional states levying partial taxes on inventory.

Inventory taxes are levied regardless of whether a business makes a profit, adding to the burden of businesses already struggling to stay afloat. Inventory taxes are also non-neutral, as businesses with larger quantities of inventory, like retailers and manufacturers, end up paying more in inventory taxes than other firms do. The inventory tax is also not as transparent as other taxes; those extra fees get passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

Inventory taxes, and other TPP taxes, are also “taxpayer active,” meaning taxpayers must determine their tax liability themselves. This increases the cost of complying with TPP taxes.

Because inventory taxes are a kind of property tax, local governments receive the majority of revenue from such taxes. This adds a layer of complexity to any plans of limiting or repealing such taxes, as an immediate elimination could strain local government finances.

Louisiana sought to limit the burden of inventory taxes by creating a state credit for inventory taxes paid. While this does take the weight off businesses, it turns the system into what is essentially a backdoor state-to-local revenue transfer. This credit increases the complexity of the state’s tax code, takes away any incentive to keep the tax rate low, and leads to the possibility of gaming the system.

When possible, state and local governments should look to shift from inventory taxes toward revenue sources with broader, more neutral bases. While this shifting cannot and will not be an immediate solution to the economic crisis at hand, a responsible shift would help businesses adjust in a post-coronavirus world and protect business both small and large in case of future crises.

Note: This blog post is part of a series that looks at tax barriers to states’ post-coronavirus recovery.

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The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading independent tax policy nonprofit. Since 1937, our principled research, insightful analysis, and engaged experts have informed smarter tax policy at the federal, state, and global levels. For over 80 years, our goal has remained the same: to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity.